Australia  in 2013 - had a poor pair of props. Moore was pretty decent and their back 5 weren't that bad or their backs. But Also lacking Pocock, whom we saw the difference when he played in 2015. But that team beaten still got to the semis of RWC 2 years prior.

NZ - team weren't the side of 2013-2015, but still a world class side. SBW red card swung the second test but you could argue the final decision by Poite in the third swung it in Lions favour. Garces persuading him not to make same mistake as Joubert.

SA - well They haven't played in two years either and yes am sure the effects of Covid won't have helped, but so have certain Lions been affected. Expect the Boks to be much better in the second test after that workout.

Conclusion: Gats and the Lions can only beat what's in front of them. Of course it's decided on fine margins. Gats has gotten a lot of flak on here from rugby fans, but his record still speaks for itself.

Ireland fans hate him for his time there. England fans hate him because of his time at Wales. Lions' purists dislike his brand of rugby etc as not being in the spirit of the Lions, but that is harking back to the pre- professional era.  The guy can't win, but that's the Lions experience for you. Can't please everyone.

If he can sneak a win in SA that would be 3 series unbeaten, which is not to be sniffed at. And is not just down to luck.  Still long way to go in this test series though.